Gavin Newsom Credits Charlie Kirk For Giving Him New Understanding Of Christianity

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom credited the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk Wednesday with helping him to have a deeper understanding of Christianity.

Newsom said on “The Ezra Klein Show” that Kirk helped him realize that Christianity creates a “sense of belonging” and “community” to millions of Americans that need meaning in their lives. He said that these aspects of Christianity are desperately needed in the U.S. today.

“That was also telling, you know, I lazily said, you know, ‘Jesus,’ and got offended. And then I said it again, and I realized, ‘boy, you really areoffended. Forgive me.’ And I didn’t understand how deeply held his faith was andhow much of an organizing principle it is for him as well.These rallies and everything, that’s interesting. Just that merger in terms of creating community,sense of belonging, meaning, identity, that’s hard to break.” 

“It gives people meaning and purpose. It’s powerful … That’s powerful. Faith, community, belonging. These are, we’re desperate for that.And those are universal,” Newsom added. 

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Newsom interviewed Kirk on his podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” in March where they discussed and debated a wide variety of issues, including the 2024 election and laws preventing schools from notifying parents about their child’s identity.